hiv AIDS in California?

May 30, 2006

Calif. Could Lose Millions In AIDS Funding

by The Associated Press

May 29, 2006 - 7:00 pm ET

(Los Angeles, California) California could lose millions of dollars

for HIV and AIDS treatment under a federal proposal to shift more

funding to rural and Southern states, local health officials say.

" We will not even be able to cover our basic medical care needs.

That's how devastating it is, " said Donna Fleming, a disease control

manager for Orange County.

The county's $4.8 million annual allotment could drop below $1 million

within five years, she said.

The funding proposal, which a Senate health committee approved by a

19-1 vote earlier this month, acknowledges complaints by lawmakers

from rural and Southern states that urban areas have received a

disproportionate amount of the $2 billion in annual federal HIV funds.

The proposal, which would renew and revise the White

Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act, will now be considered by

the full Senate and House.

If it passes, the Sacramento region could eventually lose all of its

$3 million in annual direct federal funding, said Adrienne ,

coordinator of White programs in that area.

San Francisco could lose one-fourth of the $28 million it receives

each year, said Boule, an assistant policy director for the

city's Department of Public Health.

Local programs in Los Angeles County likely would lose money as well,

but it's unclear how much, said Craig -, executive

director of the county's Commission on HIV.

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